{"id":5762,"date":"2022-03-09T19:49:42","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T01:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davidrupert\/?p=5762"},"modified":"2022-03-09T19:59:18","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T01:59:18","slug":"estonia-might-be-russias-next-target-theyll-respond-with-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davidrupert\/estonia-might-be-russias-next-target-theyll-respond-with-song\/","title":{"rendered":"This country might be Russia’s next target. They’ll respond with song."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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Estonia is a country in the Baltic region that for much of its history has actually belonged to someone else\u2019s story. The list of occupiers is a long one, as they were pawns in power struggles between Vikings, Swedes, Normans and Germanics. And today, with neighbor Ukraine being overrun by Russia, many of the citizens are wondering if they might be next\u00a0<\/a> for the bear\u2019s advance.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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During World War 2, both Hitler and the Russians laid claim to the country, like two bullies fighting over the pretty girl. As a result, approximately 25 percent of the population died. The Russians never left after the war.<\/p>\n

An identity marked in song<\/strong><\/p>\n

Their identity has primarily been defined by others. Much of their history is marked by occupation and oppression and they\u2019ve rarely been a free people. As a result, they\u2019re not known for their universities, for their innovation, or their army. They aren\u2019t known for great food, scientific exploits, or their soccer team.<\/p>\n

They are known for their voices.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Photo by Jaanus Jagom\u00e4gi<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The country of 1.3 million people has more than 700 recognized\u00a0choirs.<\/a>\u00a0 Every five years the choirs gather for the Laulupidu, the largest amateur choir assembly in the world. The last four-day festival featured a single piece sung by more than 100,000 voices.<\/p>\n

The annual assembly is a long and rich tradition, dating back to 1869.<\/p>\n

We won\u2019t back down<\/b>
\nAfter the country was annexed by the Russians, the festival continued but they were forced to sing communist propaganda. But still, they sang.<\/p>\n

When the Soviet block began to fold, one nation at a time, the Estonians didn\u2019t gather angry dock workers, freedom fighters, or disaffected military leaders. Instead, they gathered to sing. For five years they sang songs \u2014 the banned songs. They sang songs of freedom, hope, and of God. 100,000\u2019s of thousands gathered across the small country in groups large and small and expressed their heart\u2019s desire, one note at a time. They sang the forbidden lyrics over and over again.<\/p>\n

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The tanks lined up, but those manning them simply could not crush people who sang their freedom without lifting a rock, a rifle, or a fist.\u00a0Eventually, the Russians just gave up without a single life being lost.<\/div>\n
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You would think that after all of those years of oppression, they would be impoverished people. But they aren\u2019t. They rank among the highest per capita incomes in the world. The IMF calls them an advanced economy, with some of the highest measures in freedom of the press, economic freedom, and political freedom.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Those of us who have not had a foreign tank on our soil, who haven\u2019t had our language subverted, our history washed out of books, simply cannot understand true oppression. Yet, still, we are in captivity. Our faith, our values, and our decency are being chipped away. We sense everything slipping.<\/i><\/div>\n
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Creative commons, Guillaume Speurt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On some days I don\u2019t think we will ever change the vulture culture. We cannot reverse the course of a world heading straight for hell\u2019s gates. But I will not give up. I will not lie down. I must sing. Alone at first, but then others will join.<\/div>\n
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It\u2019s possible the economy will crumble, as will our carefully crafted existence. War may engulf the world.<\/div>\n
But I will hold to the Rock of Ages. \u00a0This will be our freedom. This will be the last revolution. This is our story. This is our song.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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